Senapati/Imphal, May 03 2010:
Though general secretary of the NSCN (IM), Thuingaleng Muivah did not appear at the border of Manipur to visit his birth place, all entry points to the State have been virtually sealed, with heavy deployment of State forces.

The Sangai Express, had briefly reported in the May 3 edition that Muivah may try to enter Manipur either on May 4 or 5 .

A team of Nagaland police was turned back at Mao gate by the State police on learning that they had come to provide escort security to a VIP.

The Nagaland police informed that the VIP is Th Muivah.

Another vehicle, a Bolero, carrying members of the Nagaland based Naga Students' Federation was also turned back by the State force.

Assam Rifles vehicle put up as an obstacle at Mao gate with policemen on strict vigil

With restrictions imposed under section 144 of the CrPC in Senapati district, Mao today wore a deserted look, with no visible movement of people.

Police used loud speakers to announce the restriction in Meiteilon as well as in the local dialect, since last evening.

The entry of vehicles from Nagaland is being strictly monitored and even vehicles of Assam Rifles and BSF are allowed to cross into the State after strict verifications.

Apart from posting police commandos at Mao gate since last evening a Caspar vehicle of the Assam Rifles has been placed in the middle of the National Highway to thwarth entry of vehicles.

All vehicles bound for Manipur including passenger buses are currently stranded on the Nagaland side of the border.

To protest the decision of the State Government as well as the dismantling of welcome gate put up to receive Muivah at Mao Gate by the police yestreday evening, a rally was staged at Senapati district headquarters.

Placards and posters emblazoned with the words, 'Long live Prime Minister of India and Ato Kilonser of Nagalim' were put up at Mao, Tadubi, Lairouching and Senapati district headquarters.

Police team led by the SSP of Thoubal Clay Khongsai has been posted at Jessami while Imphal East SP Radheshyam is stationed at Ukhrul headquarters.

Defying the prohibition imposed by the Govt, thousands of people from all walks of life gathered for a public rally at 11 am today and unequivocally condemned the restriction (144 Cr pc) imposed upon the peoples' aspiration, rights and will of democracy.

In today's public meeting, the apex Tangkhul frontal and civil societies including Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL), Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL),Tangkhul Katamnao Shaklong (TKS) and other sub-ordinate bodies addressed the meeting and univocally condemned the prohibitory orders and restrictions imposed against Th Muivah who is also a son of the soil.

During the meeting all shops, schools, vehicles and public movements remained standstill.

The function went on till 12.30 pm.

At least 4-5 rounds of tear gas were fired by the Ukhrul Police just as the public meeting was coming to an end.

However, there are no casualties reported so far.

The Ukhrul Police on the other hand used a loud speaker in their bid to impose the prohibitory under CrPC 144, and ordered for closure of
shops.

Meanwhile, the situation is as such that the enthusiastic peoples' eagerness and curiosity to receive NSCN(IM) leader Th Muivah is becoming intense and hectic preparation for the reception programmes is going on smoothly despite the prohibitory orders.

At the sideline of the meet, the Ukhrul Hunphun village authorities led by Hunphun Headman HA Wungrampan and village secretary Dan Maung in its formal communiqué conveyed a warm welcome to the scheduled visit of the Naga leader in Ukhrul .Stating that, 'we feels his coming as harbinger of peace and never a bleach of peace'.

"Therefore, we appeal to every community to help us welcome Ato Kilonser Th Muivah stating that his coming will strengthen peace for the whole region".

Official sources from Ukhrul said that though the situation is under control, a mob stoned the Ukhrul police station and damaged four vehicles.